A local teenager with diabetes dives in for the adventure of a lifetime. She is one of eight teens selected in a nationwide contest to learn about scuba diving, diabetes, and living life to the fullest.

Inside Diabetes What Is It? Treatment Options Medication Take Control Preventing Complications Diet Considerations Diabetic Kids Spread Word Diabetes And Kids RESOURCES National Diabetes Education Program Web Site Risk Test American Diabetes Association CDC Stats International Diabetes Federation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases WALK FOR DIABETES Find out more by calling (888) – DIABETES or click here. DREAM BIG SCUBA CAMP Dream Big Scuba Camp and the Bayer Diagnostic Ascensia Dream Fund.

"You get into the water and all the weight just disappears and you're floating. It's like a totally different world down there," said Sarah Wyss.

When Wyss, 16, learned she had Type 1 diabetes last January, she said her life changed.

"My diet and all the shots that I had to do and the finger pokes that I had to do and everything. I was just like, this is crazy. I don't think I can handle this," said Wyss.

After she won a contest to travel with seven other teens to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Wyss said she realized she wasn't alone.

While there, the teens learned to become certified scuba divers.

"It's so beautiful. There are so many colors and fish and animals. It was just an incredible experience," said Wyss.

They also learned how to monitor their diabetes carefully.

"It was so cool to be around people who knew what you were talking about when you say, 'oh, my blood sugar's high' or 'I feel terrible,' " she said.

The girl's parents said the adventure gave her a new confidence and that she learned an important lesson for anyone with diabetes.

"Take care of yourself and keep working at your dreams," she said.

Wyss won her trip through the Dream Big Scuba Camp and the Bayer Diagnostic Ascensia Dream Fund.

Left untreated, diabetes can cause heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations.

You can help raise money for diabetes Sunday by taking part in America's Walk for Diabetes.

There are four locations, including a walk around Belle Isle.

Find out more by calling (888) – DIABETES or click here.